My 31st Country - Thailand!

Yesterday, I booked my and my cousin's flight to Thailand! I'm so excited! This will be my 31st country.

Since I'm in the Philippines and it's so close to numerous exotic and interesting countries, I knew that I wanted to visit one of them. Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, and China were the top contenders but in the end, Thailand came out on top.

Yesterday, Cebu Pacific was having a sale on flights to Bangkok (BKK). How could I pass up a discount of over 50% off? I bought two tickets departing Clark (CRK) to Bangkok. I chose to depart from Clark, two hours north of Manila, instead of Manila because the price difference was really significant. The roundtrip flight with all taxes included cost 7675 PHP (181 CAD) per person. Not bad, eh? (That's right, I said "eh"!)

The next plan of action will be to figure out how to get to Clark Airport from Manila and deciding what we want to do once we get to Bangkok. We'll be there for one week in early June.

Cebu Pacific has a newsletter that everyone in the Philippines should subscribe to. Often times, their sales last for just the day and then it's over! So if you're interested in travel within the Philippines and/or Asia, subscribe to their Seat Sale Alert!

Bangkok has a lot to offer so I think we should stay in the area for the full week to experience as much of it as possible. But if you think there's somewhere else I need to check out, then let me know!  Tell me all about your favourite places and activities. Tell me about your least favourites too!

Wish you were here!

Lola's Words #1: In life, you must be a winner!

My dear grandmother is 76 years old but acts and moves like she's a lot younger. My cousins and I would describe her as a "party girl" for her numerous nights out ballroom dancing. We would also describe her as maingay, which means noisy, because her presence is always known when she's at home with her constant chatter.

At the dining table, she's always dishing out advice on health, finance, relationships, and life in general. She has a way of speaking that is as if she is addressing the country.

A little while back, Lola, Tita Dayday, Tito Rey, and I were in the car just leaving after hearing mass on Sunday when Lola randomly declared that "in life, you must be a winner". Now I must admit, I am occasionally guilty of poking fun at some of the things that my dear Lola says. But it's all said in jest; not to hurt anyone's feelings. This was one of those times. I really couldn't help it but my mouth began speaking before I could stop myself and I said, "Yeah! Because God hates losers."

The way I interpreted it was that second best is never okay. But the way I see it, sometimes second best is the best you can do and you have to accept it rather than tear yourself up over it. But Lola explained what she meant:

In life, you must be a winner considering that you were created from the best egg and the fastest sperm. You've been a winner since birth! So congratulations to all you winners for making it this far!

High five!

Wish you were here!

Sunrise in CamSur!

When I was in the Philippines last year (2010), we took a family trip to Caramoan for the weekend. Caramoan is an hour drive and a two hour boat ride away from Naga City. We woke up very early and made the trip to the port in Sagñay. The sun began to rise as we were embarking and that's when I took this picture.

It was a beautiful morning and a great start to our trip. 

Wish you were here!

Attention Canadians!

Monday 2 May 2011 is Voting Day!

If you are eligible to vote in Canada then please do so! It is your civic duty to cast an educated vote. Take the time to familiarize yourself with each party and their platform. The Globe and Mail has made this easy by organizing the key issues (ex. health, the economy, education, etc..) and each party's stance. Compare The Party Platforms

If you don't receive your Voter Information Card by Friday 15 April 2011, then you should contact your local returning officer or Elections Canada at 1-800-INFO-VOTE (1-800-463-6868).

For more information, visit Elections Canada.

Even if you disagree with every single candidate running, there is still something you can do about it. It's called spoiling your vote/ballot. You can do this a number of ways.

1. Choosing all candidates.
2. Choosing none of the candidates.
3. Signing your name on it.
4. Writing "this ballot is spoiled" across it. (My dad's favourite.)
5. Or all of the above. 

Since I'm here in the Philippines I'm going to have to vote by special ballot. I myself am still undecided on who deserves my vote but I'm weighing my options. 

Every vote counts so make sure to register and mark it in your calendar! 

2 May 2011

Wish you were here!